Sebastian Kehl not optimistic about Borussia Dortmund's chances of signing Jadon Sancho on a permanent transfer

Sebastian Kehl has admitted that it will be very difficult for Borussia Dortmund to sign Jadon Sancho on a permanent transfer from Manchester United.

Borussia Dortmund completed the signing of Jadon Sancho on a loan deal from Manchester United last week, and the forward enjoyed a successful return to the pitch on Saturday as he registered an assist during the 3-0 win over Darmstadt. The loan deal does not include a buy option. And making the transfer permanent will be hard to realise for the Black and Yellows, Sebastian Kehl has now revealed.

During his appearance on Sky90 on Sunday, the Borussia Dortmund sporting director said that the overall transfer package for Sancho will be very difficult for them to afford.

"Realistically speaking, not that much. Manchester United paid over 85 million euros for him two and a half years ago and there was no way for us to secure a purchase option in a way that was economically viable," Kehl said when asked about BVB's chances of signing Sancho permanently.

"The salary is one thing, the transfer package is another. If he develops in the way we hope, then other clubs will become active in the summer and then he will probably be a category of player that will be difficult for Borussia Dortmund to afford. But we'll see what happens in the summer."

Saturday marked Sancho's first competitive appearance since August. The 23 year old had been suspended from the Manchester United first-team following a dispute with Erik ten Hag.

The Englishman was adamant about returning to Borussia Dortmund this month. And it will be interesting to see what the future holds for him beyond the end of the season, especially if he manages to rediscover his form from his first BVB stint in the coming months.